Living
Gay-affirming summer camp options
Overnight, all-day, half-day and more available for all ages


Campers at Camp RimRock for Girls last summer in West Virginia. (Photo courtesy the camp)
The District is still shaking off the winter blues, but summer in the city is approaching fast. Local camps are already accepting registration for children to keep occupied during summer break. From day camps to overnight stays, sports and science, musical theater or even beauty school, there is a program nearby to keep kids entertained while they learn a thing or two.
Camp RimRock for Girls (343 Camp Rim Rock Rd., Yellow Spring, W.Va.) gives young girls from rising first grade through rising 10th grade, the chance to have fun away from home. Rising second through 10th can choose General Camp which includes activities such as sports, horseback riding, aquatics, performing arts and arts and crafts.Ā General Camp sessions are available in two-week sessions for $2,675 or four-week sessions for $4,700. Rising fourth through 10th graders can also choose Riding Specialty Camp, which focuses on horseback riding, for a one-week session for $1,850. First time sleep away campers in rising first, second and third grade can try Mini Camp for one week. Mini Camp sessions are $1,400 and designed to adjust children to sleep away camp.
HeadFirst Summer Camps offer activities at St. Albans School (3001 Mount Saint Alban, N.W.), Mater Dei School (9600 Seven Locks Rd., Bethesda, Md.) and Flint Hill School (3320 Jermantown Rd., Oakton, Va.) for rising pre-kindergarten through rising fifth graders. The day campās activities are diverse with options for multi-sports camp, basketball camp, baseball camp and soccer camp. Science and engineering camp is also available as well as a day camp with more general activities such as arts and crafts, music and movement, instructional swimming and story time. Prices range from $369-499 depending on camp session.
Synetic Theatre (1800 S Bell St., Arlington, Va.) offers two-week camp sessions from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Campers will work with senior artistic company members to stage an original play āA Tale of Two Ghostbustersā complete with musical numbers and an original score. Regular registration is $707 by May 1. Late registration is $757. Extended day care is available in one- or two-week packages from 3-6 p.m. for an extra fee of $100 or $200.
Washington Performing Arts music and dance camps run at various locations in the District from June 27 through Aug. 12. Capital Jazz Camp is for children in rising grades three through eight with prior vocal and instrumental experience. Capital Strings Camp is for children in rising grades three through six with no experience necessary. Capital Voices Camp is for children in grades fourth through 12th and requires basic vocal training experience. Summer Steps with Step Afrika is for rising campers in grades fourth through twelfth and requires basic dance experience. Tuition is $350 per week.
Circle Yoga (3838 Northampton St., N.W.) offers full day camp for children ages six through 12 and half day for children ages 4-7. Activities include mindful yoga and movement, crafts and creative arts, play at the park, group games, camp songs, relaxation and journaling. Full-day camp is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and is $365 per week. Half-day camp is from 9 a.m.-noon and is $250 per week.
The YMCA in D.C. offers camp programs ranging from traditional camp activities like art, aquatic, dance, sports, technology and theatre. Specialized program such as beauty school, creative writing and gardening are also available. YMCA also offers a day and overnight camp, Camp Letts (4003 Camp Letts Rd., Edgewater, Md.), which includes outdoor activities such as kayaking and horseback riding. For more details on camp programs and for a list of prices, visit ymcadc.org and campletts.org.
Adventure Theatre offers Summer Musical Theater Camp for grades first through sixth for a two-week session in Glen Echo Park. Grades six-12 also have a Summer Musical Theater Training Program in Wintergreen Plaza for a three-week session. Campers dance, sing and act with the help of D.C area theater professionals and teaching artists in daily rehearsals. Family and friends of campers are treated toĀ a performance at the end of the camp session. Grades six-12 can choose to study contemporary musicals, Broadway revivals or movie musicals. Sessions for grades one-six range from $800-850. Grades six-12 sessions range from $1,150 through $1,200.
Green Acres School (11701 Danville Dr., North Bethesda, Md.) offers camp sessions for rising pre-kindergarten students through seventh grade. Kreative Kangaroos for Pre-K students includes outdoor play, swimming, dancing and carpentry. Junior camp for kindergarten through second grade includes cooking, drama and music, dance and swimming. Senior camp is for grades three through six and includes cooking, wood shop, filmmaking, photography, rock band and robotics. Pricing and session times vary.
Silver Stars Gymnastics has a Silver Spring (2701 Pittman Dr.) location and a Bowie (14201 Woodcliff Ct.) location. Camp sessions are for children ages 3 and a half-4, 5-7 and 8-15. Full-day programs are from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and half-day programs from 9 a.m.- noon with extended morning programs from 8-8:30 a.m. and extended evenings from 4:30-6 p.m. Camper learn the basics of gymnastics such as cartwheels, jumps, tucks, twists and flips.
The Beauvoir School, Rochambeau (the French International School) and the Lowell School also have great LGBT-affirming summer camp programs. Details at their sites.
Real Estate
Navigating D.C.ās down payment assistance programs
On the way home, after a detour and a few speed bumps

D.C. offers some of the most extensive programs for down payment assistance that are managed by the Greater Washington Urban League and the DC Housing Finance Authority, for programs like HPAP and EAHP (Home Purchase Assistance Program and Employer Assisted Housing Program).
The District also offers the DC Opens Doors Program. All of these are great examples of offerings to help first-time or newer home purchasers to afford buying in the District of Columbia, one of the nationās most expensive housing markets.
There are various requirements for a buyer to use the program. These can be found at dhcd.dc.gov/service/homeownership. Many qualified local lenders are knowledgeable about these programs and can assist in dozens of these transactions each year. Often, asking a lender about these programs is a great place to start. Tina Del Casale with Sandy Spring Bank has been helping her clients with these programs for years. As part of her education outreach for clients, Tina informs her buyers of the following:
- In the HPAP and the EAHP program, the seller must provide the opportunity for the buyer to perform a home inspection with a qualified home inspector. Ā
- The items that are flagged as āmust repairsā need to be fixed by the seller. Ā
- The buyer must get their financial documentation to the lenders involved, as well as to the District of Columbia to be approved to use the program. Ā
- Whichever organization or department is managing the down payment assistance fund disbursal will also be involved in the process.Ā
- Ideally, it takes about 45-60 days from the date of ratification (going under contract) to close (the settlement date)Ā
- The lenders help to qualify/approve the condo buildings for financial health, ensuring that the finances within the building are being maintained by the homeowner association.
What happens, often, is that the process goes smoothly until the organization that manages the down payment assistance funds receives the file. The closing date can be extended time and time again, causing both the buyer and the seller to recalculate moving dates, moving trucks, packing, when to move funds around, whose home they will be sleeping at after the 3rd or 4th delay, and wondering if the seller is going to become so agitated with the entire process that they begin to Google search the term āsmall claims court.ā In a recent instance, the buyer was delayed about four times over the holidays and when the file was ready to close, they were informed that the settlement had to be the following day. So, it was a situation of delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, delay, and do this NOW, which means a buyer must coordinate (for the maybe 3rd time) a day off of work and recalculate their entire schedule at the last second to accommodate an organization that seems to have made few efforts to stay in communication along the way.
These delays make the buyer less competitive to win an offer and can make a planned purchase fail due to the failure of the buyer to perform. Nobody wants to be told their house will sell and then must make alternative plans when they realize the contract is not going through, OR there will be a significant delay by up to one to three months.
How can we make this process more user friendly? If we could, developers might be more motivated to make affordable housing units available for more people, knowing that the process of selling a unit wonāt cause interminable delays and headaches for all parties involved. Buyers must be fully vetted financially before submitting an offer. Is there a way to fully vet the down payment assistance funds, that they arrive in escrow at the title company a week or two before settlement so that all parties can plan their lives accordingly?
Self-awareness as an organization is crucial for knowing where blind spots exist, how they can be looked at, and how a decent process can be improved to fulfill its own goal of helping buyers get into homeownership. Perhaps an exit interview or feedback form could be sent to each buyer after purchase and looked at for suggestions for improvement.
Joseph Hudson is a referral agent with Metro Referrals.Ā Reach him at 703-587-0597 orĀ [email protected].
Real Estate
Tips for those considering buying a home in the Caribbean
Weather, safety, infrastructure among concerns

I recently returned from cruising through the Caribbean, just in time to experience the last vestiges of a snowstorm and 15-degree weather, coupled with a plethora of angry people wearing red hats, absent-mindedly riding around in circles on the Metro. No matter ā I still have that post-vacation glow.
The Caribbean, a diverse region of 13 independent countries, 12 dependencies, and seven overseas territories, has long been a dream destination for travelers, retirees, and investors alike. With its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and relaxed lifestyle, it’s no wonder that many people are drawn to the idea of owning property in this tropical paradise.
Buying real estate in the Caribbean requires careful planning, research, and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with investing in a foreign market. Selecting the right island and community is a critical step in the buying process.
Consider such factors as:
- Accessibility: Proximity to major airports and ease of travel
- Infrastructure: Availability of roads, utilities, and amenities such as internet and streaming services
- Safety and security: Crime rates and political stability
- Climate and weather risks: Susceptibility to hurricanes and natural disasters
- Healthcare: Quality and availability of medical services
Property prices and inventory vary widely across the region. Each Caribbean nation has its own rules regarding foreign ownership of property. Some countries have relatively open markets where foreigners can buy land freely. Others, such as the Bahamas, require special permits for non-residents purchasing property above a certain value.
It is essential to work with a reputable local attorney to navigate the legal requirements, including landownership laws and restrictions, residency and citizenship options, property taxes and fees, and title searches and due diligence.
Some islands, like Barbados and the Cayman Islands, offer residency permits for property owners who meet specific financial criteria. These programs can provide tax benefits, visa-free travel, long-term residency rights, and in some cases, top-tier medical facilities, including private hospitals and specialized care centers.
Moreover, Antigua & Barbuda,Ā Dominica,Ā Grenada,Ā St. Kitts,Ā andĀ St. Lucia offer a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program for property buyers: In some cases, citizenship will grant you visa-free access to more than 150 countries. While the costs fluctuate depending on the country, the process can be completed in as little as 7-12 months.Ā
As you can imagine, there has been a surge of inquiries from the U.S. since last fall, so it would be wise to confirm the most recent amount and type of minimum investment required. You can find helpful information from the company La Vida atĀ goldenvisas.com.
Many buyers in the Caribbean look to generate income through vacation rentals or long-term leasing. Islands with strong tourism demand, such as Aruba, the Bahamas, and St. Lucia, offer excellent rental potential.
Working with a reputable property management company can help maximize rental income and ensure smooth operations; however, investors should consider seasonal fluctuations in tourism, property management costs, and local regulations on short-term rentals in determining their return on investment before committing to a purchase.
As in the U.S., buying property in the Caribbean comes with additional costs beyond the purchase price. These may include legal fees (typically 1-3% of the purchase price), stamp duties and transfer taxes that vary by country, real estate agent compensation, property insurance, and maintenance costs.
Financing can be a challenge for foreign buyers, as many Caribbean banks require substantial down payments or have stringent lending criteria. Some investors choose to secure financing from their home country or pay in cash.
Nonetheless, expatriates living in the Caribbean often benefit from a lower cost of living, warm climate, and relaxed lifestyle. Many islands have well-established expat communities, making it easier to adjust to life abroad. As you begin your journey, it is recommended that you secure health insurance that covers medical treatment in both the Caribbean and your home country.
To successfully purchase property in the Caribbean, research and choose your preferred island based on your budget, lifestyle, and investment goals. Work with a local real estate agent who understands the market and legal requirements and, if applicable, speaks the appropriate language. Hire an attorney to conduct a title search, review contracts, and ensure compliance with local laws. Negotiate the purchase price and sign a sales agreement. Secure financing (if needed) and transfer funds.
Once you have completed additional legal requirements such as obtaining permits, paying taxes, and registering the property, you might consider rental or management options if you are not living there full-time.
But if the Caribbean is to be your home away from home for at least a few years, turn off the news, stick an umbrella in your favorite frothy adult beverage, and lean into island living.
Valerie M. Blake is a licensed Associate Broker in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia with RLAH @properties. Call or text her at 202-246-8602, email her via DCHomeQuest.com, or follow her on Facebook at TheRealst8ofAffairs.Ā
Advice
My partner wonāt come out to her parents
How to cope when you love someone whoās closeted

Dear Michael:
Iām having a terrible communication problem with my girlfriend. She just isnāt hearing me on some issues that mean a lot.
Nicki doesnāt get why itās important for me that we be out to her parents as a couple. Iāve explained my position over and over. Iām not willing to hide or pretend, and doing so makes things way more complicated down the road, if we stay together. Eventually weād have to explain our lies. Itās crazy to imagine hiding our marriage, or hiding children. More than crazy!
How can you be believable about anything if you arenāt honest about who you are and the nature of your relationship?
Nickiās whole response boils down to her being afraid that her parents will reject her (theyāre deeply religious, conservative). Me trying to explain to her that you canāt let fear run your life just doesnāt penetrate her brain.
As a result I havenāt met her parents yet, and our relationship is a lot more tentative than I would like it to be at this point.
Besides this ābiggie,ā there is one other issue that she just doesnāt get, no matter how much I explain my position: She makes fun of me a lot ā especially when weāre out with friends. About all sorts of things. How I dress (too stereotypically lesbian in her view); my interests (same criticism); my supposed inability to cook; my bad driving; my loving my dog too much. And more.
Nicki either says sheās not making fun of me, or says that sheās just kidding around and I am too serious. The more I ask her to stop, the more she tells me to ālighten up.ā She just isnāt hearing me.
Aside from communication issues around these big topics, we have an otherwise great relationship that I would like to last. However, this stuff isnāt acceptable.
What more can I do to communicate more clearly in a way that she will hear me?
Michael replies:
It sounds like youāre both making your points loud and clear. You criticize Nicki, and Nicki criticizes you.
Communication means that you say what you want to say to your partner, and you listen when she wants to share something. It does not mean that you get your partner to agree with you or behave as you want her to.
Even if you think that Nickiās not being out to her parents is crazy, she doesnāt have to come out to them.
Is Nicki open to the idea of eventually coming out to her parents? Mustering the courage to do so can be a slow process. If Nicki would like to work on this, and you are willing to wait, then stay in the relationship and work on being patient and accepting. But if this is a deal breaker issue now, Nicki is not for you.
While you can continue to try to change Nicki, this tactic doesnāt seem to be getting you anywhere, except annoyed. You have a lot of power over your own behavior, but little power over how your partner behaves. In other words, you get to be with the person you are with; not a hypothetical āimprovedā version that better suits you.
With regard to the teasing issue: I believe that if someone you care about tells you that you are hurting them, itās a good idea to listen. I donāt get why Nicki wants to keep behaving toward you in ways that you find painful. Could it be that all of this is linked?
Perhaps Nicki is hurt or annoyed or angry that you wonāt accept her not being out to her parents; and is getting back at you for your ongoing pestering by torturing you with criticisms and insults. Or, perhaps your hurt, annoyance, and anger over Nickiās ongoing teasing is leading you to retaliate by continually criticizing her closeted status.
Think of your relationship as a system: When one part of a system changes, it impacts the entire system. If either one of you changes your behavior for the better, you will likely have a positive impact on your relationship. Do you want to make the first move, and see what happens?
You might also begin an ongoing discussion with Nicki about the benefits of being respectful toward each other, listening to each other, striving to understand each otherās points of view, and tolerating that you sometimes see both minor and important issues differently.
But only start that discussion if it makes sense to you that having a decent relationship depends on your continually striving to do these things.
Michael Radkowsky, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works with couples and individuals in D.C. He can be found online atĀ michaelradkowsky.com. All identifying information has been changed for reasons of confidentiality. Have a question? Send it toĀ [email protected].
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